Evaluation of lifestyle factors including people's values affecting electricity consumption in homes

A critical view holds that people's values are integral to lifestyle choices. This study investigated the effects of these values, energy-attitudes, and cognition on home electricity consumption through a case study on an all-electric apartment with HEMS in Yokohama. The conceptual framework assumed that "socially oriented values are related to factors that form energy-attitudes leading to a higher level of behavioral intentions and actual behaviors (and vice versa)" according to Schwartz's basic human value theory and several other sociopsychological models. Results suggest the importance of fostering self-transcendent values in linking people's behavioral intentions to actual actions. This study was one of the first to include people's values when considering energy-saving lifestyles in Japan. The fact that people's values have a certain level of influence on energy consumption has implications on future policy. This sheds light on the need for further research in this area, and thus in realizing energy-saving lifestyles.